Flexible display panel and display apparatus including the flexible display panel

ABSTRACT

A flexible display panel including: a flexible substrate including a first region, second regions that extend from the first region and that have a curved surface, and a third region folded towards the second regions; a first display region in the first region of the flexible substrate; a second display region in the second regions of the flexible substrate; a plurality of non-display regions outside the first display region or the second display regions, wherein at least one of the plurality of non-display regions is in the third region of the flexible substrate; and an encapsulation member for encapsulating the first display region and the second display regions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2011-0065144, filed on Jun. 30, 2011, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a flexibledisplay panel and a display apparatus including the flexible displaypanel.

2. Description of Related Art

Display apparatuses refer to apparatuses that display an image signal.Such display apparatuses include televisions (TVs), computer monitors,personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smart devices that areincreasingly in demand, which display an image signal input by anexternal device.

A flat panel display module with high image quality, such as an organiclight-emitting display panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, aplasma display panel (PDP), or the like, is used in display apparatuses.

The flat panel display module includes a display region in which animage is displayed, and a non-display region in which various circuitsand wirings for supplying an image signal to the display region arelocated. In this regard, the non-display region is outside the displayregion on the same plane as that of the display region.

As demand for high image quality and various applications of displayapparatuses is recently increasing, the number of circuits and wiringslocated in the non-display region of the flat panel display module isalso increasing. Thus, the area of the non-display region has increased,which causes a reduction in the percentage of the display region that isseen by a user.

In the case of a smart phone that has a much smaller display screen thana computer monitor, various methods of enlarging the display screen havebeen researched.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a flexibledisplay panel that allows a user to feel a sense of beauty by adding adesign of a curved surface and significantly decreases the ratio ofnon-display regions to a display region recognized by a user, and adisplay apparatus including the flexible display panel.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aflexible display panel including: a flexible substrate including a firstregion, second regions that extend from the first region and that have acurved surface, and a third region folded towards the second regions; afirst display region in the first region of the flexible substrate;second display regions in the second regions of the flexible substrate;a plurality of non-display regions outside the first display region orthe second display regions, wherein at least one of the plurality ofnon-display regions is in the third region of the flexible substrate;and an encapsulation member for encapsulating the first display regionand the second display regions.

The first display region and the second display regions may becontinuous in the flexible substrate without forming a border betweenthe first and second display regions.

Input signals input by the same input signal input unit may be displayedin the first display region and the second display regions.

Input signals input by different image signal input units may bedisplayed in the first display region and the second display regions.

The curved surface of the second display regions may have apredetermined curvature radius.

The curvature radius may be greater than or equal to 0.01 mm and may beless than or equal to 20 mm.

The curved surface may be a portion of a circumference of a circle thathas a predetermined constant curvature radius.

An angle formed from a boundary between the first display region and thesecond display regions to an edge of the second display regions may bebetween 0° and 90°.

The first region may be constantly flat.

The third region may be folded not to be recognized in a direction inwhich the first region is displayed.

The third region may be folded to be parallel to a surface of the firstregion.

At least one of the first display region and the second display regionsmay include an organic light-emitting device.

The flexible display panel may further include a barrier layer locatedbetween the flexible substrate, the first display region and the seconddisplay regions.

The encapsulation member may be a flexible encapsulation thin layer.

The flexible display panel may further include a support unit formaintaining a shape of the flexible display panel.

The support unit may be a transparent protection window located on theencapsulation member.

The flexible display panel may further include a touch panel located onat least one side of the flexible substrate and the encapsulationmember, in which images of the first and second display regions aredisplayed.

The touch panel may include a flexible film that can be folded tocorrespond to a shape of the flexible display panel.

The touch panel may include: touch regions in the flexible film thatcorrespond to the first display region and the second display regions;and wiring regions outside the touch regions.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda flexible display panel including: a first display region; seconddisplay regions that extend from the first display region and that havea predetermined curved surface; and non-display regions that are foldedtowards the first display region from the second display regions andbeing not recognized from a front of the first display region.

The second display region may immediately follow the first displayregion without forming a border between the first and second displayregions.

An angle formed from a boundary between the first display region and thesecond display regions to an edge of the second display regions may bebetween 0° and 90°.

The non-display regions may be folded to be parallel to the firstdisplay region.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda display apparatus including: a flexible display panel including afirst display region, second display regions that extend from the firstdisplay region and that have a predetermined curved surface andnon-display regions folded towards the first display region from thesecond display region and being not recognized from a front of the firstdisplay region; and a support member for maintaining a shape of theflexible display panel.

The display apparatus may further include: an encapsulation thin layerfor encapsulating the first display region and the second displayregion; and a touch panel located on the encapsulation thin layer andincluding touch regions corresponding to the first display region andthe second display regions, wherein at least one organic light-emittingdevice is located in the first display region or the second displayregion.

The display apparatus may further include a transparent protectionwindow located on the touch panel to correspond to shapes of the firstdisplay region and the second display regions of the flexible displaypanel and the touch panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panelaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panelillustrated in FIG. 1, taken along a line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panel as acomparative embodiment for comparison to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panelillustrated in FIG. 3, taken along a line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a comparison of a display region of the flexibledisplay panel illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a display region of theflexible display panel according to the comparative embodiment of FIGS.3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional plane view of an example of aflexible display panel before non-display regions of FIG. 1 are folded;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example of a firstdisplay region and/or a second display region of the flexible displaypanel illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plane view of an example of non-display regions of theflexible display panel illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panel inwhich image signals input by different image signal input units aredisplayed in a first display region and a second display region;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating therelationship between the second display region and the non-displayregions;

FIG. 12 is a schematic plane view of an example of a flexible displaypanel before non-display regions of FIG. 13 are folded;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panelaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panelillustrated in FIG. 13, taken along a line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible display panel-integratedtouch panel according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible display panel-integratedtouch panel before non-display regions of the flexible displaypanel-integrated touch panel illustrated in FIG. 15 are folded;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the flexible displaypanel-integrated touch panel illustrated in FIG. 16; and

FIGS. 18 and 19 are schematic cross-sectional views of examples in whichthe flexible display panel of FIG. 1 is combined with a transparentprotection window and a housing of a display apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of theinvention are shown.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panel 100according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is across-sectional view of the flexible display panel 100 illustrated inFIG. 1, taken along a line II-II of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible display panel 100 includes afirst display region D1, second display regions D2 on right and leftsides of the first display region D1, and non-display regions N1, N2,N3, and N4 outside the first display region D1 or each of the seconddisplay regions D2.

The first display region D1 is generally flat over its entire area andmay be a main display screen of the flexible display panel 100.

Each of the second display regions D2 faces a different direction fromthe first display region D. For example, each of the second displayregions D2 is formed as a curved surface that has a curvature radius R.In one embodiment, for example, the curvature radius R is greater thanor equal to about 0.01 mm and less than or equal to about 20 mm. Whenthe curvature radius R is less than 0.01 mm, the flexible display panel100 may not maintain a curved state due to bending stress, and when thecurvature radius R is greater than 20 mm, a sense of grip and/or a senseof aesthetic may be reduced.

The curvature radius R may have a constant value. Thus, the curvedsurface may be a portion of the circumference of a circle or an arc.

Each of the second display regions D2 extends from the first displayregion D1 and is adjacent to and integral with the first display regionD1 without a distinguishable border between the first display region D1and the second display regions D2. In this regard, the curved surfacemay be formed less than a quarter of the circumference of a circle. Inother words, an angle formed from a boundary between the first displayregion D1 and the second display regions D2 to an edge of the seconddisplay region D2 may be between about 0° and about 90°.

The second display region D2 may be an auxiliary display screen of theflexible display panel 100. As described above, because the seconddisplay region D2 extends from the first display region D1 as a curvedsurface that has a curvature radius R, a user recognizes that a displayscreen of the flexible display panel 100 is not limited to the firstdisplay region D1 but is extended due to the second display region D2.In other words, the size of the entire display screen may be increaseddue to the second display region D2.

When the flexible display panel 100 is installed in a small handhelddisplay apparatus, such as a cellular phone or a personal digitalassistant (PDA), the second display region D2 is formed as a curvedsurface so that gripping of the device may be improved and an aestheticdue to the curved surface may be increased.

The non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 are outside the first displayregion D1 or the second display region D2. In the current embodiment,the non-display regions N1 and N3 are outside the second display regionsD2, and the non-display regions N2 and N4 are outside the first displayregion D1.

In particular, in the current embodiment, the non-display regions N1 andN3 that face each other in right and left directions of the firstdisplay region D1 are folded to be substantially parallel to the firstdisplay region D1. In other words, each of the non-display regions N1and N3 is substantially parallel to the first display region D1 Thus,the user does not see the non-display regions N1 and N3 on right andleft sides of the first display region D1 from a front of the firstdisplay region D1. Thus, it will appear to the user that the seconddisplay region D2 defined by the non-display regions N1 and N3 is almostborderless. In detail, the flexible display panel 100 according to thecurrent embodiment may be a display screen maximized by a minimized sizeof the non-display regions N1 and N3.

In the current embodiment, the non-display regions N2 and N4 that faceeach other in upward and downward directions of the first display regionD1 are substantially parallel to the first display region D1. However,the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, thenon-display regions N2 and N4 that face each other in upward anddownward directions of the first display region D1 may be further foldedin a direction opposite to a direction in which the first display regionD1 is displayed. In this regard, it may appear to the user that thesecond display region D2 formed by the non-display regions N1 and N3 isalmost borderless. Thus, a display screen enlarged by a minimized sizeof the non-display regions N2 and N4 may be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a is a schematic perspective view of a flat display panel 100′in which the second display region D2 of FIG. 1 is not included andnon-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 are not folded, as a comparativeembodiment for comparison to the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is across-sectional view of the flat display panel 100′ illustrated in FIG.3, taken along a line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the flat display panel 100′, in which thenon-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 are not folded, includes adisplay region D and non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 outside thedisplay region D.

Because the flat display panel 100′ of FIG. 3 does not include thesecond display region D2 of FIG. 1 described above, a display screencannot be maximized in size. In addition, because the second displayregion D2 is not formed as a curved surface, a grip or a sense of beautycannot be enhanced.

In addition, because the non-display regions N1 and N3 are not folded,when the user sees the flat display panel 100′ from the front(z-direction) of the display region D, the user can see the originalwidth of the non-display regions N1 and N3 as a border that surroundsthe upper and lower sides of the display region D. Thus, a displayscreen enlarged by a degree at which the non-display regions N1 and N3are not seen by the user cannot be implemented.

FIG. 5 illustrates a comparison of a display region of the flexibledisplay panel 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a display region ofthe flexible display panel 100′ according to the comparative embodimentof FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, the flexible display panel 100 illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2 includes the first display region D1 and the second displayregions D2 on right and left sides of the first display region D1. Theflexible display panel 100′ according to the comparative embodiment ofFIGS. 3 and 4 includes only one display region D.

Thus, the flexible display panel 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may bea display screen enlarged by the second display region D2. Furthermore,when the sizes of the flexible display panel 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 andthe flexible display panel 100′ of FIGS. 3 and 4 are the same from theirfront, the non-display regions N1 and N3 according to the comparativeembodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 are not seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, ascreen of the first display region D1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is maximized bythe size of the non-display regions N1 and N3, compared to the displayregion D of FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the case of the flat display panel 100′ according to the comparativeembodiment, in order to minimize the area of the non-display regions N1and N3, the number of various circuits or wirings located in thenon-display regions N1 and N3 has to be minimized, or line widths ofcircuits or wirings have to be minimized. However, because demand forhigh image quality and various applications of a display apparatus isincreasing, there is a limitation in reducing the number of circuits orwirings. In addition, there is a process difficulty in reducing linewidths of the circuits or wirings. However, in the flexible displaypanel 100 of FIG. 1, the area of the non-display regions N1 and N3recognized by the user may be minimized without reducing the number ofcircuits or wirings located in the non-display regions N1 and N3 orwithout reducing line widths of the circuits or wirings.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional plane view of an example of aflexible display panel 100-B before the non-display regions N1 and N3 ofFIG. 1 are folded, and FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of anexample of the first display region D1 and/or the second display regionsD2 of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a plane view of an example of thenon-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, the flexible display panel 100-B beforethe non-display regions N1 and N3 are folded includes a flexiblesubstrate 111, a barrier layer 112 located on the flexible substrate111, the first display region D1, the second display regions D2, and thenon-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 located on the barrier layer 112,and an encapsulation member 113.

The flexible substrate 111 may be formed of a plastic material havingexcellent heat resistance and durability, such as polyethylene etherphthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polyarylate,polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyimide, or the like. However, thepresent invention is not limited thereto, and the flexible substrate 111may be formed of various flexible materials.

The barrier layer 112 may be located on the flexible substrate 111. Thebarrier layer 112 may be formed of at least one of an inorganic layerand an organic layer. The barrier layer 112 prevents unnecessarycomponents from transmitting into the flexible substrate 111 and frompermeating into the first and second display regions D1 and D2.

The first display region D1, the second display regions D2, and thenon-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 outside the first display regionD1 and the second display regions D2 may be located on the barrier layer112.

An image signal is displayed in the first display region D1. The firstdisplay region D1 may be a main display screen. Various display devices,such as organic light-emitting display devices, liquid crystal display(LCD) devices, electrophoresis devices, and the like may be located inthe first display region D1. In the current embodiment, an organiclight-emitting device 120 will be described. Various devices, such asthin film transistors (TFTs) and capacitors for driving display devices,and the like may also be located in the first display region D1.

Each of the second display regions D2 extends from right and left sidesof the first display region D1. An image signal is displayed in thesecond display region D2, which may be an auxiliary display screen. Likein the first display region D1, various display devices, such as organiclight-emitting display devices, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices,electrophoresis devices, and the like may be located in the seconddisplay region D2. In the current embodiment, an organic light-emittingdevice 120 will be described. Various devices, such as thin filmtransistors (TFTs) and capacitors for driving the display devices, andthe like may also be located in the second display region D2.

Referring to FIG. 7, at least one organic light-emitting device 120 islocated in the first display region D1 or the second display regions D2.The organic light-emitting device 120 includes a pixel electrode 121, anopposite electrode 123 that is a common layer, and an organic emissionlayer 122 located between the pixel electrode 121 and the oppositeelectrode 123. The pixel electrode 121 is electrically connected to adriving thin film transistor TFT1 located on the flexible substrate 111.Although not shown in FIG. 7, the organic light-emitting device 120 iselectrically connected to at least one switching thin film transistorand storage capacitor, thereby emitting light from the first displayregion D1 or the second display regions D2.

Light may be emitted from the organic emission layer 122 located in thefirst display region D1 towards the flexible substrate 111 or theencapsulation member 113. In the current embodiment, a top-emission typedisplay device in which an image is displayed towards the encapsulationmember 113 is described. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto and may be applied to a bottom-emission type display device inwhich an image is displayed towards the flexible substrate 111.

Light may be emitted from the organic emission layer 122 located in thesecond display regions D2 towards outsides of the second display regionsD2.

Various circuits and wirings for supplying an image signal to theorganic light-emitting device 120 located in the first display region D1or the second display regions D2 may be located in the non-displayregions N1, N2, N3, and N4.

Referring to FIG. 8, an electrode power supply line 131 for supplyingpower to the opposite electrode 123, and a terminal portion 132 of theelectrode power supply line 131 are located in the non-display regionsN1, N2, N3, and N4.

A scan circuit unit 133 for transmitting a driving signal to the displayregion D and a terminal portion 134 of the scan circuit unit 133 arelocated in the non-display regions N1 and N2. A data circuit unit 135for transmitting a data signal to the display region D and a terminalportion 136 of the data circuit unit 135 are located in the non-displayregions N2 and N3. A driving power wiring unit 137 for supplying drivingpower to the display region D and a terminal portion 138 of the drivingpower wiring unit 137 are located in the non-display region N2. A padunit P, on which the terminal portions 132, 134, 136, and 138 arelocated, is located in the non-display region N2.

In the current embodiment, image signals input by the same electrodepower supply line 131, the scan circuit unit 133, the data circuit unit135 and the driving power wiring unit 137 are supplied to the firstdisplay region D1 and the second display region D2. In other words, theimage signals input by the same image signal input unit are displayed inthe first display region D1 and the second display region D2. Thus, allof the first display region D1 and the second display region D2 functionas one display screen.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Image signalsinput by different image signal input units may be displayed in thefirst display region D1 and the second display region D2.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panel 100-1in which image signals input by different image signal input units aredisplayed in the first display region D1 and the second display regionD2.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first display region D1 may represent a mainscreen, and the second display region D2 may represent an auxiliaryscreen, such as a screen on which various icons I are displayed. In thisregard, the first display region D1 and the second display region D2 maybe connected to the separate electrode power supply line 131, the scancircuit unit 133, the data circuit unit 135 and the driving power wiringunit 137, unlike in FIG. 8.

Various circuits, wirings, and terminal portions illustrated in FIG. 8are just illustrative of an example of the non-display regions N1, N2,N3, and N4. In other words, obviously, various other circuits, wirings,and terminal portions may be located in the non-display regions N1, N2,N3, and N4.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the encapsulation member 113 for encapsulatingat least the first display region D1 and the second display region D2may be located in the first display region D1, the second display regionD2, and the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4. The encapsulationmember 113 may be an encapsulation thin layer. The encapsulation thinlayer may have a structure including a plurality of inorganic layers ora structure in which an inorganic layer and an organic layer arealternately stacked.

Referring to FIG. 6, the flexible display panel 100-B has a thickness T.The thickness T may be obtained by summing up the thicknesses of theflexible substrate 111, the barrier layer 112, the first display regionD1, the second display region D2, and the non-display regions N1, N2,N3, and N4 and the encapsulation member 113. A protective film may befurther located on the flexible substrate 111 and/or the encapsulationmember 113. In this regard, the thickness T of the flexible displaypanel 100-B may be greater than as shown in FIG. 6.

When the second display regions D2 on right and left sides of the firstdisplay region D1 of the flexible display panel 100-B illustrated inFIG. 8 are folded to have a predetermined curvature radius R and thenon-display regions N1 and N3 connected to the second display regions D2are folded to be parallel to the first display region D1, the flexibledisplay panel 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed.

In the flexible display panel 100, the second display region D2 isformed as a curved surface. The second display region D2 may be all ofcurved surface or a part of the curved surface.

Referring to FIG. 10, the first display region D1 is in the first regionI of the flexible display panel 100-B, and the second display region D2is in the entire second region II to form a quarter of the circumferenceof a circle that has the predetermined curvature radius R. Thenon-display region N3 is in the entire third region III to besubstantially parallel to the first region I.

In other words, the second region II is formed as a curved surface thathas a predetermined curvature radius R, and an angle θ1 formed from aboundary between the first region I and the second region II to an edgeof the second display region D2 in the second region II is 90°.

Referring to FIG. 11, the first display region D1 is in the first regionI of the flexible display panel 100-B, and the second display region D2is in a portion of the second region II to form a quarter of thecircumference of a circle that has a predetermined curvature radius R. Anon-display region N3′ is both in the second region II and the thirdregion III.

In other words, the second region II is formed as a curved surface thathas a predetermined curvature radius R, and an angle θ2 formed from aboundary between the first region I and the second region II to an edgeof the second display region D2 in the second region II is less than90°.

In the flexible display panel 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 describedabove, the second display regions D2 are on right and left sides of thefirst display region D1. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto. In other words, the spirit of the present invention alsoapplies to a case where the second display region D2 is on any one ofthe right and left sides of the first display region D1.

In addition, in the case of the flexible display panel 100 of FIG. 1described above, the non-display regions N1 and N3 on the right and leftsides of the second display region D2 are folded. However, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. In other words, the spirit of thepresent invention also applies to a case where any one of thenon-display regions N1 and N3 is folded.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panel 200according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 isa cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel 200 illustrated inFIG. 13, taken along a line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13.

Hereinafter, the current embodiment will be described with respect toits differences to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 13.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the flexible display panel 200 includes afirst display region D1, a second display region D2 connected to oneside of the first display region D1, and non-display regions N1, N2, N3,and N4 outside the first display region D1 and the second display regionD2.

The first display region D1 may be a main display screen of the flexibledisplay panel 200.

The second display region D2 may be an auxiliary display screen of theflexible display panel 200. Because the second display region D2 extendsfrom the first display region D1 as a curved surface that has apredetermined curvature radius, the user sees that a display screen ofthe flexible display panel 200 is not limited to the first displayregion D1 but is extended due to the second display region D2. In otherwords, the display screen of the flexible display panel 200 may beincreased due to the second display region D2. In addition, because thesecond display region D2 is formed as a curved surface, the device maybe easier to grip, and an aesthetic due to the curved surface may beincreased.

The non-display region N2 extends from the second display region D2, andthe non-display regions N1, N3 and N4 are outside the first displayregion D1.

The non-display region N2 is folded inwards to be substantially parallelto the first display region D1. In other words, the non-display regionN2 is folded to be substantially parallel to the first display regionD1. Thus, the user does not see the non-display region N2 from a frontof the first display region D1. Also, the user may see that the seconddisplay region D2 defined by the non-display region N2 is borderless. Inother words, the flexible display panel 200 according to the currentembodiment may be a display screen enlarged by a minimized size of thenon-display region N2.

The above-described pad unit P illustrated in FIG. 12 may be located inthe non-display region D2. In this regard, an external driver may beinstalled on the pad unit P or a connector C may be connected to the padunit P. Because the external driver or the connector C is connected toan inside of the flexible display panel 200, there is no portion inwhich the external driver or the connector C is folded so the area ofthe non-display region N2 may be further reduced.

In the case of the above-described flexible display panel 200illustrated in FIG. 13, the second display region D2 is on one side ofthe first display region D1. However, the present invention is notlimited thereto. In other words, the spirit of the present inventionalso applies to a case where the second display region D2 is on upperand left sides of the first display region D1. In addition, the spiritof the present invention also applies to a case where the second displayregion D2 is on upper and left sides and right and left sides of thefirst display region D1.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible display panel-integratedtouch panel 300 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention, and FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible displaypanel-integrated touch panel 300-B before non-display regions of theflexible display panel-integrated touch panel 300 illustrated in FIG. 15are folded, and FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the flexibledisplay panel-integrated touch panel 300-B illustrated in FIG. 16.

Hereinafter, the current embodiment will be described with respect toits differences to the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 13, and 15.

Referring to FIG. 15, the flexible display panel-integrated touch panel300 according to the current embodiment of the present invention isconstituted by attaching a touch panel 140 to the flexible display panel100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the touch panel 140 includes a first touchregion T1, second touch regions T2, and wiring regions W1, W2, W3 and W4outside the first touch region T1 and the second touch regions T2. Thetouch panel 140 according to the current embodiment may use a variety oftouch methods using capacitance overlay, a resistance film, and thelike.

A flexible display panel 100-B before non-display regions N1 and N3 arefolded includes a first display region D1 and second display regions D2,and non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 outside the first displayregion D1 and the second display region D2.

The first touch region T1 of the touch panel 140 and the first displayregion D1 of the flexible display panel 100-B are aligned with eachother so as to correspond to each other and the second touch regions T2of the touch panel 140 and the second display regions D2 of the flexibledisplay panel 100-B are aligned with one another so as to correspond toone another so that the touch panel 140 and the flexible display panel100-B are combined with each other.

In the flexible display panel 100-B combined with the touch panel 140,the second display regions D2 on right and left sides of the firstdisplay region D1 provide a wide display screen to a user.

In addition, in the flexible display panel 100-B combined with the touchpanel 140, because the non-display regions N1 and N3 connected to thesecond display regions D2 are folded towards the first display region D1from the second display regions D2, the non-display regions N1 and N3are not recognized, and the user may recognize that the second displayregions D2 defined by the non-display regions N1 and N3 are almostborderless.

Although the flexible display panel 100-B illustrated in FIG. 6 is shownin the drawings described above, the present invention is not limitedthereto. Alternatively, the flexible display panels illustrated in FIGS.1 and 13 may also apply to the current embodiment.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are schematic cross-sectional views of examples in whichthe flexible display panel 100 of FIG. 1 is combined with a transparentprotection window 150 and a housing of a display apparatus. Forconvenience of explanation, the flexible display panel 100 of FIG. 1 isexemplified. However, the present invention is not limited thereto andmay also apply to the flexible display panel-integrated touch panel 300illustrated in FIG. 15.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the flexible display panel 100 is attachedto a touch panel 140 and then, a non-display region N1 of the flexibledisplay panel 100 is folded, and the flexible display panel 100 is bentin such a way that second display regions D2 of the flexible displaypanel 100 are formed as a curved surface.

The flexible display panel 100 that has the touch panel 140 attachedthereto is protected and supported by the transparent protection window150.

The transparent protection window 150 may be attached to the flexibledisplay panel 100 to correspond to a shape of the flexible display panel100, i.e., to correspond to a top surface of the flexible display panel100 on which an image is displayed and a folded shape of the flexibledisplay panel 100. In other words, the transparent protection window 150may be combined with the flexible display panel 100 and the touch panel140 so as to correspond to shapes of the first and second displayregions D1 and D2 of the flexible display panel 100 and the first andsecond touch regions T1 and T2 of the touch panel 140. The transparentprotection window 150 has transmittance that allows light to transmitthrough a display screen of the flexible display panel 100 and has astrength that maintains the shape of a curved shape of the flexibledisplay panel 100. Thus, the transparent protection window 150 mayprotect the flexible display panel 100 and/or the touch panel 140 fromexternal shock or scratches and may function as a support unit thatmaintains the curved shape of the flexible display panel 100 and/or thetouch panel 140.

The support unit that maintains the curved shape of the flexible displaypanel 100 and/or the touch panel 140 is not limited to the transparentprotection window 150. The curved shape of the flexible display panel100 and/or the touch panel 140 may be maintained by a frame or a housing160 of a display apparatus that will be described below. However, avariety of other support units may be used.

Further, an adhesive may be injected between the flexible display panel100 and the transparent protection window 150.

The flexible display panel 100 including the transparent protectionwindow 150 and the touch panel 140 attached thereto is combined with adisplay apparatus. The display apparatus may include a frame or housing160 for protecting and supporting the display apparatus. In the currentembodiment, the flexible display panel 10 is attached to a top surfaceof a front case 161 of the housing 160, and the non-display regions N1and N3 described above are folded and seated on an opening 163 formedbetween the front case 161 and a lower case 162 of the housing 160 sothat the non-display regions N1 and N3 are prevented from being seenfrom outside the display apparatus.

The examples of FIGS. 18 and 19 are illustrative of an example in whichthe flexible display panel 100 is combined with the display apparatus,and various applications may be performed by one of ordinary skill inthe art.

As described above, the flexible display panel that has its concavecurved shape maintained by various support units may be integrated withvarious display apparatuses, such as TVs, computer monitors, PDAs,smartphones, and the like. Thus, the ratio of non-display regions to adisplay region of the flexible display panel recognized by a user issignificantly decreased so that an enlarged image screen compared toother display apparatuses may be provided. In addition, a lateral sideof the display apparatus is formed as a curved surface so that animproved sense of grip or beauty may be provided to the user.

A display apparatus according to the embodiments described above has thefollowing effects. First, an auxiliary display region that extends froma main display region of a display region is formed at a side of adisplay panel so that the size of a display screen is increased. Second,the subsidiary display region is formed as a curved surface so that asense of grip is improved. Third, the auxiliary display region is formedas a curved surface so that a sense of beauty is improved. Fourth, anon-display region is not recognized by a user in the main displayregion so that the display region is recognized as being borderless.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims. The exemplary embodimentsshould be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by thedetailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, andall differences within the scope will be construed as being included inthe present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible display panel comprising: a flexiblesubstrate comprising: a first display region; second display regionsextending from the first display region and having a curved surface; anda third region extending from each of the second display regions in adirection generally towards the first display region, wherein the thirdregion includes a non-display region; and an encapsulation memberencapsulating at least one of the first display region and the seconddisplay regions; and a touch panel located on at least one side of theflexible substrate and the encapsulation member.
 2. The flexible displaypanel of claim 1, wherein the first display region and the seconddisplay regions are continuous in the flexible substrate such that thereis an indistinguishable border between the first display region and eachof the second display regions.
 3. The flexible display panel of claim 1,wherein the first display region and the second display regions areconfigured to display input signals input by a single image signal inputunit.
 4. The flexible display panel of claim 1, wherein the firstdisplay region and the second display regions are configured to displayinput signals input by different image signal input units.
 5. Theflexible display panel of claim 1, wherein a curvature radius of thecurved surface of each the second display regions is substantiallyidentical.
 6. The flexible display panel of claim 5, wherein thecurvature radius of the curved surface is greater than or equal to about0.01 mm and is less than or equal to about 20 mm.
 7. The flexibledisplay panel of claim 5, wherein the curved surface is arc-shaped. 8.The flexible display panel of claim 5, wherein an angle formed by aboundary between the first display region and a respective one of thesecond display regions to an edge of the respective one of the seconddisplay regions is between about 0° and about 90°.
 9. The flexibledisplay panel of claim 1, wherein the first display region issubstantially planar.
 10. The flexible display panel of claim 1, whereinthe third region is oriented so that it is not visible to a user lookingat the first display region from a first direction.
 11. The flexibledisplay panel of claim 1, wherein the third region is substantiallyparallel to a surface of the first display region.
 12. The flexibledisplay panel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first displayregion and the second display regions comprise an organic light-emittingdevice.
 13. The flexible display panel of claim 1, further comprising abarrier layer located between the flexible substrate and theencapsulation member.
 14. The flexible display panel of claim 1, whereinthe encapsulation member is a flexible thin encapsulation layer.
 15. Theflexible display panel of claim 1, further comprising a support unit formaintaining a shape of the flexible display panel.
 16. The flexibledisplay panel of claim 15, wherein the support unit is a transparentprotection window located on the encapsulation member.
 17. The flexibledisplay panel of claim 1, wherein the touch panel comprises a flexiblefilm that generally corresponds to a shape of the flexible displaypanel.
 18. The flexible display panel of claim 1, wherein the touchpanel comprises: touch regions in the flexible film that generallycorrespond to the first display region and the second display regions;and wiring regions outside the touch regions.
 19. A display apparatuscomprising: a flexible display panel comprising: a first display region;second display regions extending from the first display region andfacing a different direction from the first display region; andnon-display regions extending generally towards the first display regionfrom the second display region and being invisible from a front of thefirst display region; and a support member for maintaining a shape ofthe flexible display panel: an encapsulation thin layer on the flexibledisplay panel; and a touch panel on the encapsulation thin layer andcomprising touch regions generally corresponding to the first displayregion and the second display regions, wherein at least one organiclight-emitting device is located in the first display region or in atleast one of the second display regions.
 20. The display apparatus ofclaim 19, further comprising a transparent protection window located onthe touch panel generally corresponding to the first display region andthe second display regions of the flexible display panel.
 21. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second display regions have acurved surface.